Hason Ward Appreciation Thread

[ZRF]

Unless he learns to shoot 3s, it’d be a long shot.

He doesn't need to be able to shoot threes.

But he DOES need to have some of offensive skillset outside of dunks, and put backs. That works at the college level bur he needs to have a shot, post moves, or be able to put tbe ball on the floor and create his own offense. If he had one of those things along with being am eraser on the defensive end he could possible earn a bench role. But a lot of the things he contributed at the college level are mitigated with the overall elevation in the number and quality of athletes at the NBA level.

For now I'm just ecstatic with his improvement, which to a degree had largely been a byproduct of playing time. We saw it at the end of last year and he probably should have been on the floor a bit more last season.

 

[flycy]

His steals are impressive.

 

[iastatefan1]

We are seeing what TJ was saying over the summer about Ward. It's unfortunate he had a slight derailment, but he is fun to watch. Is he done after this year for sure?

 

[rosshm16]

He is out of eligibility after this year yes.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

Looking back, I really wish he had been able to play at the tournament in Orlando.

He's been so impactful on defense. And I'm starting to count on two spectacular lob-dunks a game; it's almost like having Jameel McKay on offense again.

I was thinking about this. What would our record be if he was never hurt?

Obviously we lost at OU with him, but I think we win at least 1 more in Orlando with him.

 

[cayin]

I was thinking about this. What would our record be if he was never hurt?

Obviously we lost at OU with him, but I think we win at least 1 more in Orlando with him.

yeah, but if he had played all year he would have been a better player and in better condition by the time the OU game came around. I think you can make an argument that we may be undefeated had he never been hurt.

 

[pourcyne]

Does he still have the screw in his ankle? I guess it doesn't matter either way, but suffice it to say, he's got GUTS to come back so strong after such a serious injury. Impressive!

 

[madguy30]

Big Rob and Hason are probably our best rotation at the 5 in a long, long time. Each brings something different, both definitely bring it. Hasan definitely changes the game when he's in there, on both ends.

Yep and that's gotta suck for opponents.

 

[HFCS]

Ward is realizing the potential we all saw last year and it's great.

When all three of these bigs are healthy we really have a lot to throw at other teams. They all have their strengths. Ward is becoming a great finisher around rim and defensive specialist. Rob is great running on fast breaks and is becoming a sneaky great passer, just general energy. King has been an efficient offensive player with FG% and FT% right near the best on the team.

 

[HFCS]

Gonna be a tough vote on the most improved player. I think Ward and BRE are the front runners at this point. However, King and Lipsey are in the discussion.

How about this crazy "improvement stat".

In the last ten games...

Rob Jones is 18/27 from the line, 67%.

As a team on the entire year we're only 70% so the fact that he's been shooting near the team average is kind of crazy given what we saw two years ago.

 

[AllInForISU]

He doesn't need to be able to shoot threes.

But he DOES need to have some of offensive skillset outside of dunks, and put backs. That works at the college level bur he needs to have a shot, post moves, or be able to put tbe ball on the floor and create his own offense. If he had one of those things along with being am eraser on the defensive end he could possible earn a bench role. But a lot of the things he contributed at the college level are mitigated with the overall elevation in the number and quality of athletes at the NBA level.

For now I'm just ecstatic with his improvement, which to a degree had largely been a byproduct of playing time. We saw it at the end of last year and he probably should have been on the floor a bit more last season.

I agree to a point. He will also need to put on weight. 200 lbs at 6’9 is fine when you play post in college or around the perimeter as a stretch 4/5 in the NBA, but he would get destroyed at that weight by a true post in the NBA.

Long story short, he’s great for ISU especially this year, but has a looong way to go to be considered a legitimate NBA player.

Also keep in mind, he is 23 going on 24. That’s not a great age to be given your first chance in the NBA.

Just glad he stuck around after a somewhat rough year last year.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Looking back, I really wish he had been able to play at the tournament in Orlando.

He's been so impactful on defense. And I'm starting to count on two spectacular lob-dunks a game; it's almost like having Jameel McKay on offense again.

Or Rahshon Clark

 

[HFCS]

I agree to a point. He will also need to put on weight. 200 lbs at 6’9 is fine when you play post in college or around the perimeter as a stretch 4/5 in the NBA, but he would get destroyed at that weight by a true post in the NBA.

Long story short, he’s great for ISU especially this year, but has a looong way to go to be considered a legitimate NBA player.

Also keep in mind, he is 23 going on 24. That’s not a great age to be given your first chance in the NBA.

Just glad he stuck around after a somewhat rough year last year.

I think all three big guys have improved enough this year to give themselves a chance at good overseas careers if they want. Might have been a stretch last year to say that.

A lot of players try to work through G League who really have no chance of getting to NBA, it's their choice of course and I'm sure the NBA/GLeague love it but it seems to be common.

 

[AllInForISU]

I think all three big guys have improved enough this year to give themselves a chance at good overseas careers if they want. Might have been a stretch last year to say that.

A lot of players try to work through G League who really have no chance of getting to NBA, it's their choice of course and I'm sure the NBA/GLeague love it but it seems to be common.

Overseas is definitely a more realistic option for them.

 

[HFCS]

Overseas is definitely a more realistic option for them.

Only about 20-30 college players a year get an NBA contract between all the foreign players and the second round picks who don't get signed. That drives home how incredible a player can be and still not play in the NBA. Thinking of somebody like Melvin or Shayok...even at that time the influx of foreign players (justified) already probably was enough to squeeze them out and there are more now.

These discussions will get real next year as I think we'll have two players in 2025 mock drafts.

 

[t-noah]

Gonna be a tough vote on the most improved player. I think Ward and BRE are the front runners at this point. However, King and Lipsey are in the discussion.

I just had to reply to this. Think about it for a minute, being unsure about which of these four are the most improved. That means they all greatly improved, and they are.

Add a guy named Milan, who might be candidate for freshman of the year in the Big 12, and 3 solid guard transfers, one of whom is playing great, Keshon, and many of us are starting to think of a higher ceiling for this team.

Yes, the ceiling is pretty high, upper third in conference. Just to even think about that in a conference like the Big 12 this year is remarkable.

Going 9-9 in conference this year is still a strong possibility. hopefully no worse. I'm thinking a little better than that now! And we are a fun team to watch.

 

[HFCS]

I just had to reply to this. Think about it for a minute, being unsure about which of these four are the most improved. That means they all greatly improved, and they are.

Add a guy named Milan, who might be candidate for freshman of the year in the Big 12, and 3 solid guard transfers, one of whom is playing great, Keshon, and many of us are starting to think of a higher ceiling for this team.

Yes, the ceiling is pretty high, upper third in conference. Just to even think about that in a conference like the Big 12 this year is remarkable.

Going 9-9 in conference this year is still a strong possibility. hopefully no worse. I'm thinking a little better than that now! And we are a fun team to watch.

Early in the year seeing Ward, King and Rob all looking clearly improved, then realizing our wing scorer Milan is 6'8" as the most common guy playing the 3...I couldn't believe how long and deep we could be compared to almost any other ISU team.

Then I was pretty shocked losing Ward how just one missing piece could totally change that on both ends. It wasn't like just increased minutes for BRE and King made up for it.

I think we'd have felt the same thing if it was BRE or King that missed a month. We need all three of those guys to hit full potential.

 

[Frak]

We're really tough inside with Ward and BRE. Add in King and we're just not going to get bullied. We also have guards that can get into the lane. What we're missing is a couple of snipers. Momcilivic is by far our best shooter. If Curtis Jones could start hitting or Gilbert got a little more consistent from outside, we'd be really tough to beat.

 

[CRCySpy]

I know it doesn't really matter who starts the game between BRE and Ward because they both play about 20 minutes a piece, but I always thought it was better for Ward to start and bring BRE off the bench with that "playing with his hair on fire" energy.

Does Ward get his starting spot back again soon? Things seem to be working fine the way they are right now.

 

[demoncore1031]

Overseas is definitely a more realistic option for them.

I'm hoping to see Ward go to the Meralco Bolts in the Philippines (my favorite overseas team). They really need a big. They had Prince Ibeh, but he can't even catch the ball.